Take Note

Get the Goods

By Elisabeth Abrahamson

The newest (and tastiest!) spot to dot Lido Marina Village’s grounds is woman-owned bakery, Rye Goods. Sara Lezama, who created and runs the company, uses only farm fresh ingredients and encourages others to eat seasonally. She bakes just about everything your heart (and stomach) desire. We crave her sourdough loaf, jalapeno cheddar sesame loaf, caramelized onion poppy seed bagels, almond croissants, savory caramelized onion herb scones, chocolate chip cookies, peach hand pies, pizza dough, dumplings, and so much more. Rye Goods can also be found at other SoCal locations including Costa Mesa’s Coffee Dose. ryegoods.com.

Beachy Must-Have

We’ve all been there: struggling to keep drinks upright and snacks sand-free when sitting on a lumpy beach blanket. Ditch the struggle with Beachably’s chic yet durable beach tables. The hip brand, started by Laguna Beach resident Tanya Spence-Spangler, offers beachgoers a stylish way to enjoy food and drinks at the beach (or park!) without hassle. Choose from three styles: The Murray, The Goulburn, and The Esplanade, each with different features and wood stain options (naturally sun-kissed and beach blonde). The tables can be customized to include your family’s name, a special design, or a beach house address. With the holidays coming up, a Beachably table is the perfect gift for friends and family. Tables start at $89.99. (949) 391-3233; beachably.com.

Sensational Shrubs

In 2014, recent UC Santa Barbara grad Lucas Ryden took a bartending job and while working, he learned about shrubs and how to incorporate them into the cocktail menu. Making shrubs piqued his interest, and six years later he founded Cool Hand Co., a San Diego company specializing in fresh shrubs. Current flavors include blackberry cacao nib orange peel (pair with gin or mezcal or drizzle over vanilla bean ice cream, yogurt, or add to soda water); pineapple turmeric ginger (pair with gin or rum, or use as a base for salad dressings and marinades); strawberry casacara ginger (rum, tequila, and whiskey); and strawberry hibiscus jalapeno (perfect for margaritas, mix with agave spirits or gin or white rum). Shop for Cool Hand Co.’s shrubs at The Mixing Glass located inside The Mix at SOCO in Costa Mesa. coolhandco.com.

Next-Level Glamping

Elevate your next camping trip with a stay at Camp Ribbonwood in Warner Springs (San Diego county). Surrounded by Ribbonwood trees, this luxury campsite lets folks soak up SoCal’s incredible fall weather and enjoy picturesque views from an incredible safari tent. It sleeps two and includes a queen-sized bed, heated mattress pad, barbecue, private hot tub, kitchen, bathroom (complete with a clawfoot tub - hello IG selfies!) and much more. What’s neat? Furnishings are made from recycled materials, including native incense cedar trees, which were burned in the Cedar Fire of 2003. What we love? The pizza oven attachment for homemade pizza nights. Guests are welcome to use fresh herbs grown on-site to cook or top their pizzas with. Wi-Fi is provided, but we suggest turning your phone off for the ultimate relaxation and escape. Rates start at $200 a night. (619) 818-9343; hipcamp.com.

Book (and more) in a Box

Charming Lido Village Books, located in the heart of Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach, offers a new, special quarterly book box that combines your favorite reads with fun goodies. The box is available for purchase the third month of every quarter and varies in price (average is around $60). Last quarter’s box included a hardback (Elena Ferrante’s Lying Life of Adults), a tasting glass, lavender and lemon sugar cubes, small-batch wildflower honey shortbread cookies, and a recipe for a champagne cocktail or mocktail. The boxes are currently being offered for pick up only. 3424 Via Oporto #102, Newport Beach. (949) 220-7632; lidovillagebooks.com.

TAKE NOTE

Produce Perfection

What’s better than fresh produce? Fresh produce—from Tamai Family Farm in Oxnard— delivered right to your doorstep. Two Chicks and a Hoe, run by Megan and Brooke Bradford-Flynn, offer fresh produce and other fun goodies that can be delivered to your home or office. The company is based out of Costa Mesa and delivers to Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Shoppers also can pick up orders from Two Chicks and a Hoe’s other Costa Mesa business, Hydrant Pet Hotel, on Saturdays. Stock up on fresh veggies, herbs, eggs, honey, fruits, breads, pastries, and seasonal items such as peach vanilla bean jam. The produce offered online not only touches less hands, which helps to minimize the spread of germs, but also supports a local Oxnard farm. (949) 514-4479; twochicksandahoe.com.

Beach Picnics To Order

Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night or a fun day out with the girls (or guys!), California Sunshines has you covered. The company, based in Newport Beach, provides the ultimate beach picnic service. Each picnic setup includes an insulated picnic basket, beach blanket, charcuterie board, pallet table, pillows, glassware, cloth napkins, and water. Thinking of proposing to your significant other? Upgrade your spread with a custom bouquet and bottle of champagne. Cheers! californiasunshines.co.

This Tray’s The Thing

Newport Beach native Abby Michaelsen founded Statement Home, a chic decor brand that recently launched its first product this past summer: The Interchangeable Tray. Michaelsen was inspired to create this versatile acrylic serving tray after living in New York City with no storage space for home decor. The tray fits various inserts (think holiday imagery, fresh summer lemons, and chic animal prints) and comes in bamboo and porcelain styles for holding food and beverages. The tray can also be used to jazz up your coffee table (just add a candle and book!) or your bathroom vanity. Best feature? The inserts stack for easy storage. statementhome.com.

Spread the Love

Newport Beach local Jack Elliott was at home with his family discussing how they could help as COVID-19 was ravaging other countries. They came up with Kindness Goes Viral (KGV), a platform to amplify movements such as BLM, climate change, LGBTQIA+, and more. KGV offers T-shirts, crop tops, and sweats, with all proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders and Feed the Children. Elliott says he wants KGV to promote hope and positivity during this very divisive time. You can find posts on KGV’s Instagram, @ kindnessgoesviral, that celebrate acts of kindness and people who inspire others to do good. We love the post on Amy Purdy, a double amputee who advocates for people with disabilities and inspires disabled and non-disabled people everywhere. kindnessgoesviral.com.